Concern consumed his expression as he mouthed, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Unused to having a man’s concern directed at her, she found she liked the affectionate feeling it created. “Yes,” she mouthed back.
His gaze dropped to her lips, and when it lifted, his eyes had a dark, deliciously wicked gleam. “And what about you, Brielle? What do you want?”
Oh dear. She took a deep breath. She wanted this case to be over. She wanted the truth to be out in the open. She wanted reassurance that he wouldn’t break her heart. And most of all, Brielle wanted to be alone with Jack with both of his hands on her.
“I’m game for anything,” she answered, instead. Time would take care of everything else.
Jack couldn’t wait to leave the park. Not only because his brother walked around with an invisible bull's-eye on his back, but because he longed to get Brielle alone where they didn’t have to worry about pretenses, and he could wrap her in his arms and keep her safe.
Sure, she’d reassured him of her unharmed state twice in the past hour and a half since the incident, but he wanted more. Hell. Jack jammed his curled fists into his pockets as they all walked back to the limo. He might as well face it. The need to hold the dancer consumed him.
These raw feelings were new. He’d never lost his sensibility completely to a woman before. He didn’t like it. Fighting tooth and nail not to relinquish control, he’d restrained himself from commandeering one of the food stands and chasing out the teenage staff, just so he could get some privacy with her.
He eyed her swaying form in front of him. Sunlight coppered Brielle’s brown hair, haloing her body as it kissed her long, tanned legs—a pleasure he yearned to experience. His fists tightened. He was an idiot. Their day was almost over. How would he gain alone time with her now? Soon, they’d be dropping the women off and heading back to the bachelor mansion. Regret soured his taste buds as they’d reached Rodriguez and their awaiting limo.
To hell with control. Jack needed to talk to Brielle. He glanced around. But it would have to wait until they got back. He didn’t know how, but he’d find a way.
Feeling some of the tension leave his spine, he rolled his shoulders, then nodded for Rodriguez to open the limo door for the smiling Mandy.
“Uh, Houston, we have a problem,” she announced the same way she had the other day at the ranch.
“What’s wrong? Don’t tell me the carousel horses made you sore?” Danni laughed.
“No.” Mandy backed away from the limo. “But I bet that note will cause Jack and Matthew some grief.”
Jack felt the smile freeze on his face as the blonde’s words registered. He glanced at the girls. Alarm widened Brielle’s eyes, mirroring the others as they stood on the curb. He stooped down to peer into the limo.
“Damn! How the hell did this get here?” He backed out and directed the question to his man.
“I don’t know, sir. The doors were locked, I swear. I made sure of it.” Rodriguez frowned, glancing around the parking lot. “And I only left for half an hour to get lunch. That was it.”
Running a hand through his hair, Jack refocused on the note. “Call the team, and have them bring us another limo.” He turned to the group. “You might as well sit on the benches over there. Depending on traffic, it could take awhile.”
“I’m sorry this keeps happening, ladies,” Matthew said, arms around Danni and Mandy as he led them to the bench.
“It’s not your fault,” Danni said.
“Yeah.” Mandy smiled up at his brother. “You can’t help it if you’re dreamy.”
Jack transferred his gaze to Brielle who still stood by him. “You might as well sit, too.” As much as he enjoyed her nearness, there was no sense in her getting uncomfortable by standing a half hour.
“That’s all right. I’m happy right here.” She glanced inside the limo.
His lips twitched. He should’ve known she’d dig in and wait it out. Brielle was not only beautiful, she was strong and smart. A winning trifecta. His smile broadened. “You wouldn’t happen to have a pair of tweezers on you?”
“No. But I bet you could buy a pair in one of the gift shops. Would you like me to go see?” She eyed the park’s entrance.
“You don’t have to. We have a pair in our van,” one of the cameramen spoke up. He rushed to a white cargo van, then returned five minutes later with several pairs and a zip bag. “Here you go. And the bag is new. We keep them for our film.”
“Thanks.” Jack reached into the limo to extract the note off the seat. Using a second pair, he and Rodriguez carefully unfolded the paper. His heart rocked hard against his ribs.
“Shit!” His gaze snapped to Brielle’s. “I’m sick of this.”
The color drained from her face. “Jack? What is it?” She stepped closer. “What does it say?”
“Yeah, what does it say?” Matthew got up from the bench and hurried to them.
“It says: Did you enjoy your boat ride? I did!” The note shook as Jack worked hard to control his emotions. He refolded the paper and slid it into the bag Rodriguez held. “Seems you didn’t just run out of gas.” Snapping his gaze from his brother to Brielle, he swallowed a curse. “You were lucky you only got a few bruises.”
The image of Brielle’s body tossed like a sack of potatoes while he watched helplessly from his boat, ran in slow motion through Jack’s mind. His cracking knuckles itched to make contact with something. The thought of Brielle getting hurt…
Warmth soaked into his fist as she uncurled his fingers.
“It’s all right, Jack. I’m okay. I can take a lot more than that. Trust me.”
He scowled, trying hard to keep his feelings in check. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Dammit! Whoever did this hurt Brielle. Furious, he clenched his free hand. “That’s not the point. You shouldn’t have to take anything.”
Rodriguez cleared his throat. “Sir, the rest of the men are here with the other limos.”
Limos? And in record time. He glanced over and watched his men unfurl from both vehicles. The studio sure knew how to waste money. No matter. He didn’t care if they sent over a horse and buggy just as long as he got his brother and the girls out of there. Safety first.
He removed his hand from Brielle’s and straightened his shoulders. “All right, everyone get in. We’re going to the bachelor mansion.”
“Bachelor mansion?”
He surveyed the now-gathered group. “Yes. I will be questioning each of you, privately.”
“Jack, do you really think that’s necessary?” Matthew asked in a hushed voice after Mandy and Danni walked away toward one of the limos. “I really don’t think any of these girls are responsible.”
Right now, he didn’t give a damn what Matthew thought. Someone tried to hurt his brother today, and Brielle was caught in the crossfire. The kid gloves were off. He wanted answers, and by God, he was going to get them.
“Yes, it’s necessary,” he ground out, minus a few choice words that sprang to mind. “I’m supposed to be here to protect you, Matthew. I don’t take that lightly, and neither should you.”
Once again, Brielle’s warm hand curled around his until their fingers tangled.
“None of this is your fault, Jack.”
Instead of letting loose with those clamoring curses, he grunted. It sure as hell was his fault. He was in charge of security, yet these damn threats kept showing up, and now, something physical had happened.
“She’s right, Jack.” Matthew clamped a hand on his shoulder and stepped closer. “This isn’t your fault. You’ve done an amazing job, and I’m very grateful.”
“Enough to call a halt to this show?” He arched a brow and waited, already knowing his brother’s reply.
“No. Sorry.” Matthew released him and smiled. “The show must go on. But I do have your back, bro.” And with that, his brother saluted, then climbed into the limo with the other two contestants.
Had his back? What the hell did that
mean?
Two seconds later, he had his answer as he stood there watching his brother’s limo pull away from the curve…without Brielle or him. Matthew had just given Jack that alone-time he’d recently craved. If it weren’t for the fact one of his men drove the disappearing limo while another rode in back, Jack would be a hell of a lot more concerned for his brother’s safety. But, he trusted his men with his life. The former Rangers were more than capable of watching out for Matthew and his mini harem. Besides, he was about to follow in the other limo...with Brielle.
She squeezed his hand and brought his fist to her mouth. “I love the way your brother thinks.”
“Yeah, sometimes he comes up with a good idea or two,” he admitted, watching her mouth graze his knuckles. A sharp need to haul her up close and claim those sweet lips hit him full force.
He resisted, barely, but held on to her hand as he turned to the rest of his men. “I want this limo processed from top to bottom, inside and out. Get a copy of the feed from any camera facing the parking lot, and that damn boat ride.”
“Yes, sir,” one of his men replied as they all nodded.
Surely, the security at the park had caught something. He wanted this perpetrator behind bars. Yesterday.
“Come on, boss,” Rodriguez stepped close. “I’ll drive you two back to the mansion so you can start your questioning.”
No sooner had the limo’s door closed when Brielle found herself hauled up onto Jack’s lap, his wonderful, talented mouth on hers, zapping her strength and a few more brain cells along the way. Matthew was safe for the moment with two of Jack’s men. It was okay to relax and enjoy his touch, her mind insisted. Take advantage of the private time.
His kiss was different, though, needy…desperate as if he had to touch her, all of her to reassure himself she was okay. And oh boy was it hot, so much so all of her happy parts were tingling in anticipation for some of that wild monkey sex. When he finally drew back so they could suck in air, his gaze ran down the length of her sprawled out over him, then locked with hers.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asked, voice rough, heat and concern blazing in his eyes while he ran a finger down her jaw.
Her heart knocked her ribs, and she couldn’t stop the slow smile from tugging her lips. “If I say no, will you kiss me like that again?”
An answering smile curved his lips as he twisted to set her on the seat and lean over her. “There’s plenty where that came from,” he replied, and proceeded to show her.
His mouth was warm and gentle at first, then turned hungry and demanding, replacing the amusement with a mind-staggering heat. She moaned, and arched into him, needing to feel him everywhere. And it was okay. The divider was up. They were alone. No Matthew. No contestants. And best of all, no cameramen. Bless Rodriguez, he’d taken off before her cameraman could climb in the limo.
“God, you drive me crazy,” Jack said against her mouth, before he trailed kisses down her jaw and neck until he found the sweet spot behind her ear.
She did some more moaning and arching and just a little bit of clutching while he slowly drove her out of her mind. His hands snaked under her T-shirt to stroke her belly, and she gladly returned the favor. A second later, their shirts hit the floor, and her hands went on to explore the wonderland of ridges he called a body, while he went to kissing her neck, her throat. Soon her bra joined their shirts.
“You’re so beautiful, Brielle,” he said, stopping to gaze down at her, running his palms lightly across her breasts.
Her nipples puckered, and bless him, he took pity capturing one in his mouth while the other ended up worshiped by his talented hand. She gasped and drew him closer, running her palms down his muscled back, reveling in the hot, sinew beneath.
“Mmm…” she murmured just before his mouth claimed hers for another amazing kiss.
Slow and deep, his tongue stroked, heating her body into a blazing inferno. And his hands, oh God, his hands; they trailed down her legs, stopping to stroke her thighs, behind her knees, then back up to the damp spot between her legs aching for a reunion. She needed more. She needed all of him and quickly worked the button and zipper of his jeans.
Great minds. He had her shorts on the floor and hands on her thong as once again, he drew back to look.
“So damn beautiful,” he said, bending to trail kisses up her leg while he tugged off the scrap of white silk and removed the last of her clothing.
Chapter Twelve
With her heart beating uncontrollably in her chest, Brielle watched Jack taking in her nakedness.
“Perfect.” He leaned down and kissed her mouth, long and hard and deep while his hands caressed her breasts, belly and thighs, hovering just inches away from her deepest ache.
Then he slid a finger inside. Shards of heat spiked through her body, sending liquid warmth everywhere, drawing a needy whimper from her throat, and that’s when he broke the kiss.
“So wet,” he said into her mouth, then kissed his way to her breasts, lingering on her beaded nipple as he added another finger and flicked his thumb over her.
Brielle gasped and arched, clutching his back as she neared the blissful edge. “Please tell me you have a condom.”
He stilled, then pulled away from her, smoldering gaze blinking as he shook his head. “No. I don’t.”
Her heart literally stopped. “You’re joking, right?”
“No,” he said, breaking her stopped heart. “I came on the show to guard my brother. I wasn’t expecting to need any.”
Then he bent back down and took her other breast in his mouth, teasing her nipple with his teeth before sucking it between the roof of his mouth and tongue, hard.
“Jack.” She gasped. “W-what are you doing?”
He released her and smiled into her face. “I think that should be obvious.”
She chuckled despite her growing disappointment. “We can’t. I mean, I am on the pill, but still…”
He placed open mouthed kisses on her throat and neck, exploring until he found the sensitive spot behind her ear. Brielle clutched his back and moaned, between what he was doing to her neck and how incredible his naked flesh felt on her skin, she was panting as if she’d run four miles uphill.
“Don’t worry,” he reassured, grazing his lips over her breasts and down her belly until she could feel his warm breath teasing her thighs.
Please…don’t stop. She would’ve told him, had she been able to find her breath. But she needn’t have worried. He lifted his head and held her gaze, eyes dark and heated with the same need trembling through her. “We don’t need a condom.”
And before she could form a thought, his mouth was on her, teasing her with his tongue, using the right rhythm until she writhed beneath him. Head tossed back, she tried to hold on, clutching his shoulders and head as he worked her over with devastating precision.
He drew back and stared up, a wicked curve tingeing his lips. “You taste incredible, Brielle. Come for me,” he urged, tracing her with the pad of his finger, back and forth, back and forth, until she could barely breathe.
Then his mouth was once again on her, kissing her there, and the wicked finger slipped all the way inside and twisted. He held her open as he sucked and nibbled, and she could feel her body tighten, every muscle clenching. God, he knew her so well. Knew what she needed. She cried out and arched into him, and on the second long, sure stroke, she exploded, panting his name.
Past the stars and ringing in her ears, she somehow managed to find her way back to her body where Jack was letting her down slow and gentle, with her all the way. She was still panting, as she eased the grip on the back of his head and said, “Wow.”
“See? No condom needed.” Grinning, he leaned up for a long, lingering, kiss.
She could taste herself on him, and his body was hot, hard and quivering under her hands. He was pure, male perfection. She grasped his waist band, and with a quick, sure tug, had his jeans and boxers down to his knees.
He pulled back star
tled. “What are you doing?”
This time, she smiled wickedly, twisting their positions so he was sitting and she was kneeling between his splayed legs. “Your turn.”
Doing her best to ignore his massive erection causing a flutter deep in her belly, she leaned in to lick his collarbone, grazing her teeth over his nipple, smiling at the groan that rumbled deep in his chest. She licked and kissed her way down his mouth-watering abs that jumped under her lips.
“Brielle.” He shifted, voice deliciously rough and low.
“Shhh.” She kissed his belly button and nibbled a little lower, stroking his sides while she watched his silky, glorious hard length bob in appreciation.
He sucked in a jagged breath. “I don’t—”
“Need a condom, I know,” she said, cutting him off, sliding her gaze to his face.
Blue eyes, so dark she didn’t know where the iris ended and pupil began, stared down at her, caught between agony and ecstasy. Well, she knew exactly which way that was going to sway.
She cupped him, barely holding back her own moan as he filled her hand.
“Christ, Brielle,” he said with a rough groan, hands curling into fists at his sides. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”
“Drive you crazy.” She peered up into his face and smiled.
He choked out a laugh. “Beyond.”
Then she stroked him, and determined to take him beyond beyond, kissed the very tip.
“Fuck,” he ground out in a strangled tone. And when she ran her tongue down his length and licked him like a lollipop he gasped. “Definitely beyond.”
She smiled at the tightness in his tone and enjoyed a sharp, stabbing thrill that she could bring such an incredible man to this state. Placing her hands on his thighs, she slowly drew him into her mouth.
Jack let out a low, guttural sound from deep in his throat. Taking that to mean ‘do it again’ she did. Several times. His hands cupped the back of her head, resting there in apparent approval.
“Damn…that feels good…”
Mouth still on him, she glanced up. Head back, eyes closed, his face was tight as a slight sheen spread across his taut muscles. Lordy, he was magnificent. The sight gave her a rush a hair below orgasmic.
She Does Know Jack Page 18
